Fresh fruit salad recipes for summer or winter

Of course, some of what's on offer in the supermarkets is often relatively insipid fare, grown for size and eye-appeal over taste. If you buy fruit specially for these fresh fruit salad recipes, try to source the best and most local organic fruits, where possible.

If you are using some of your own fresh fruit or you have access to quality organic fruit these recipes will be so much the tastier!

Quality fresh fruit is also full of valuable , minerals and enzymes which help you to keep a healthy immune system and feel in tip-top condition. Fruit nutrients are now better understood: here's a little information on .

Basic fruit salad is a breeze

Fruit salads are also generally rather easy to make. At the most basic, just chop whatever fruit is available, add a light syrup of water and honey or sugar and add yogurt or cream to serve.

These recipes go for a slightly more advanced level of skill but are still quite easy and quick to make.

For more info on fruit please see also see

Fresh fruit can be kept fresh for longer if you use an . They are really easy to use - you just put them in with the fruit and veg in your refrigerator crisper tray. They work by neutralising the ethylene gas given off by fruits and vegetables as they ripen - and that slows the ripening process.

Spiced Port Fruit Salad

This lovely recipe is very easy but needs preparing ahead of time because you need to let the ingredients cool down and then be chilled before serving.

Ingredients

2-3 tablespoons of honey

1 cinnamon stick

3 or 4 cloves

rind of 1 orange

2 oranges

3 or 4 apricots fresh or dried and soaked

3 bananas

2 large apples (not cookers)

1 small melon

6 ozs (150gms) seedless grapes, red or white

1/2 pint (300mls or 1 1/2 cups) of port or rich dessert wine

Apple juice or grape juice can replace the port if you want a non-alcoholic version.

Method

Put the spices, rind and honey into a saucepan and add 1 cup of water, grape juice or apple juice to the mix. Stir everything in as it heats up. When the honey is dissolved turn off the heat. There's no need to boil it as this may impair the flavour of the honey. Let the mixture stand to infuse the spices.

When the mixture is cold you can add the port.

Peel and segment the oranges, halve the apricots. Prepare the melon by either slicing into cubes or use a melon-baller. Slice the bananas and apples. The grapes can be left whole if they are truly seedless.

Put the fruit salad mixture to chill for an hour or two before serving.

Serving

Serve with fresh meringues, cream, yogurt or even cold custard.

Variants

Add a little sliced date or fresh fig. Fresh plums can be substituted for the apricots.

Homemade muesli really is a breeze to make. Experiment with different mixes and you will soon learn which cereals you like best. For a subtle taste it's good to include a high proportion of oats. Read on and get more information.